On Tuesday, 8 April 2025, the Southern Regional Assembly hosted the second Regional Stakeholder Group meeting of the Interreg Europe PROXIMITIES project at Assembly House in Waterford City. The event brought together stakeholders from across the Southern Region to share updates and insights, and to collaborate on shaping more connected, accessible, and liveable urban places.
The meeting attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from local authorities, national agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organisations, as well as future planners from the Planning and Sustainability M.Plan programme at University College Cork.
Attendees reflected on the work undertaken during Semester 2, including the recent interregional study visit to Manresa in Spain, and discussed good practices emerging from across the PROXIMITIES partnership.
The agenda featured several highlights:
- An introduction to the VNiC Health Project by a research team from Dublin City University
- A presentation from University College Cork on community engagement and citizen feedback in Blackpool, Cork
- An update on the development of the PROXIMITY Landscape Assessment Tool (PLAT)
- An overview from the National Transport Authority on their suite of connectivity tools used for public transport accessibility and opportunity mapping
Following the formal agenda and a lively discussion session, participants enjoyed lunch and a guided walk through Waterford’s Viking Triangle. This included a meeting with members of the curatorial team and an opportunity to learn about the area’s regeneration as a key heritage, tourism and cultural destination.
The outcomes of the meeting will feed into the Southern Regional Assembly’s continued work on sustainable placemaking and regional policy development through PROXIMITIES. Stakeholders remain committed to driving innovative, place-based solutions that support the Southern Region’s transition to more equitable and sustainable urban environments.